Former President Olusegun Obasanjo on Thursday
was in his usual elements as he declared that he
was not ready to sacrifice his life for any political
party, but would prefer laying down his life for
Nigeria.
Mr. Obasanjo stated this when the Presidential
Candidate of the National Conscience Party, NCP,
Martins Onovo, paid him a visit at his Hilltop
private residence in Abeokuta.
“My first pre-occupation is what is best for Nigeria;
Nigeria first, party second and any other thing
third. Nigeria first means I will not sacrifice
anything for the interest of Nigeria but I can
sacrifice my own life for the interest of Nigeria, I
can’t sacrifice my life for the interest of a party, I
will sacrifice my life for the interest of Nigeria”, he
declared.
The ex-president commended the role Gani
Fawehinmi (SAN), founder of NCP, saying the late
legal luminary did not only fight injustice but also
checked the excesses of governments in power.
“In the interest of a better society there is always
the need for some people to serve as watchdogs.
Fawehinmi throughout his life devoted his intellect
and energy to fight injustice, bad governance,
corruption and other social vices”, he said.
“Let me pay tribute as I have done in my recent
book to the founder of your party, Gani Fawehinmi,
I believe he was a genuine social critic though you
may not agree with all that he said or how he went
about them. But he was definitely a genuine social
critic, so you (Martins) as the flag bearer of the
party he founded, if you should follow his
footsteps of integrity and genuine critical analysis
and committed analysis and criticism of the
situation in the country, I think nobody will fault
you”, Mr. Obasanjo said to his guest.
Mr. Obasanjo said “Let me make my own position
clear, I am a card carrying member of PDP
(Peoples Democratic Party) because that is the
party on which platform I became the president of
this country”.
He further advised his guest that “If what you’re
trying to do is in the best interest of Nigeria and
Nigerians accept and vote for you, who I am I not
to accept you as President of Nigeria, I will. But
whatever may be the outcome of the election
after you have done all that you can, once the
election is free and fear and undisturbed,
uninterrupted, then you have to accept the verdict
of the people”.
Mr. Obasanjo reiterated his call on the
Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC,
to ensure free, fair and transparent elections that
would be acceptable to Nigerians.
“It is only free, fair and transparent elections
without mago, mago that would be acceptable to
Nigerians”, Obasanjo affirmed.
Earlier in his remark, the NCP presidential
candidate said he was at Mr. Obasanjo’s home to
receive his blessing for his ambition as well as tap
from his fountain of knowledge.
“We think that Nigeria needs a fundamental
change and not superficial change, that’s our view
and we’ve decided to come and tell you our
mission in politics. What we are here to do and
how we intend doing it and to seek your blessings
for the efforts we are making”, he said.
“Our programme is designed to lead to the
abolition of poverty, through full employment,
improve health care and electricity supply which is
very critical to industrial development anywhere in
the world”, Mr. Martins asserted.
“We are very aware that you (Obasanjo) did very
few critical things in government when you were
there and some of those we wish to continue
when we get to office particularly the anti-
corruption efforts of EFCC (Economic and Financial
Crime Commission), ICPC, (Independent Corrupt
Practices Commission) we intend to continue.
“We intend, when we get elected with your
guidance to check the loss in the National revenue
so that we can have funds to carry out the
developmental programmes we have promised
our people.
“We are also aware that you left about 67 billion
dollars in the excess crude account and the
foreign reserves and unfortunately, what we know
now from the Debt Management Office is that we
are indebted to 70 billion dollars, it’s unfortunate
and we also think that many Nigerians are looking
for fundamental change and we are hoping to
build on some of your developmental initiatives
you left behind if with your blessing we are able to
get into office”.

Source: http://www.informationng.com/2015/01/ill-gladly-lay-down-my-life-for-nigeria-but-not-for-the-interest-of-any-political-party-obasanjo.html

Oh yes, I won't be surprised if you lay down your life for Nigeria instead of Nigerians. Nigeria is where your stomach lies.